Well, in approximately 27 hours I will be leaving home for the next 16 days. I'm heading to Asia--Thailand and South Asia (can't identify the country for security reasons). This will be the longest I've been away from my kids and definitely the farthest.
I'm a mixed bag of emotions--very excited to see this part of the world, to take pictures and video and to write stories about what God is doing throughout Asia, but I'm also feeling a bit nervous and anxious. My health has not been stellar in the past few years (pancreatitis, diabetes/high triglycerides and IBS issues), so going to the third world is not an exciting prospect in regard to stomach issues and food allergies...I'm allergic to seafood. Also, our world is currently in chaos with wars, earthquakes, etc...even in the areas where I'm heading.
But still, I know that God goes before me. He has everything under control...
I sometimes laugh at myself that I chose to become a missionary. I don't enjoy traveling anymore. I don't want to leave my family. I'm anxious about all the work that will pile up in my absence. And I'm writing this blog to avoid packing because it nearly makes me hyperventilate just doing it. You see, I'm OCD/ADD, so packing is a real struggle. I want it to be perfect, and I easily get distracted from the task and want to do everything else in the midst of packing...eg. as I go to my closet to get something, I decide NOW is the time to rearrange my clothes hangars by color codes or as I go to get some paperwork from the counter, I end up going through all the paperwork. I don't ever want to travel without leaving my house immaculate. Not sure why that always happens, but even when we leave for a camping trip, Patrick is usually honking the horn for me as I wash up that last glass in the sink. It's an illness that "pert near" kills me on each trip.
So, pray for me in these next hours, please--that I can complete all that I need to, then...let go and let God...
I anticipate an incredible journey, with many stories to tell. I'm hoping to be able to blog some of my experiences while "on the road," so look for updates from me in the coming days.
